Keonjhar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) January 18 directed the state Chief Secretary to pay compensation of Rs10,000 to each of the seven injured minor students who were admitted to the hospital after the ceiling in their classroom collapsed at Arjunbilla Primary School under Ghatagaon block in Keonjhar district.
Apart from submission of the proof of payment, the commission has also directed to recover the compensation amount from the erring junior engineer for his negligence in supervision of works undertaken, due to which the accident took place.
The apex rights watchdog passed the order acting on a couple of petitions filed by civil rights activist and advocate Radhakanta Tripathy.
He alleged that one boy student and six female students got injured as the ceiling of the school collapsed on them. The headmistress repeatedly informed the block education officer (BEO) for reconstruction of the new classroom and, after no action, the classroom was repaired with the help of Badjamupasi panchayat official. The incident allegedly occurred due to use of sub-standard construction materials.
Acting on the directions of the NHRC, the SP, Keonjhar, sent the report of an enquiry conducted by the SDPO, Ghatgaon, stating therein that Arjunbilla Primary School in Ghatagaon block has been existing for the last 20 years and the school building needed repairs. The repair work was conducted under the supervision of JE, Ghatagaon block and was completed September 19, 2022. Later, the rooms were utilised by the school authority for taking classes. However, plaster slab of around three feet in length collapsed when the students of Classes IV and V were attending their classes.
As a result, some students sustained critical injuries and were admitted to the community health centre at Ghatagaon. They were discharged from hospital after two days. Demanding an inquiry, the guardians filed petitions before the BDO, Ghatagaon alleging use of substandard materials in the repair work of the school building.
Accordingly, a probe was conducted and the District Collector transferred the JE. Departmental action has been taken against the JE for her lack of supervision to monitor the repair work of the school building and negligence in her duty.
PNN